400 top-level comments · 399 analysed
"If you think it's expensive just leave, don't try to argue about it or ask for a discount". I think people in the U.S especially are so used to arguing with those providing a service . The customer is always right concept has really made them this way.
His frankness is enjoyably refreshing. I learned quite a few things from your interaction.
Saying "no foreigners" is horrible. For 90% of situations, wouldn't a sign saying "must speak Japanese" take care of the problem? It doesn't alienate foreigners who are at least somewhat familiar with the language and customs, and it also doesn't sound super xenophobic. I think e…
It's a tricky topic that doesn't have right answers. In Spain, we are used to tourists whether European, Asian, or elsewhere misbehaving because alcohol is so cheap and the economy relies on tourists. Everyone agrees that basic manners and understanding the culture is important, …
As a foreigner who lived and worked in Japan. You will almost never get asked to leave anywhere as long as you show you have truly put in effort to learn some Japanese and to understand Japanese cultural/social norms.
I can definitely see where the bartender is coming from in this video, if you go to another country you need to be open and respectful abd I've definitely seen my fair share of rude and obnoxious travellers when I've travelled. But I do think places need to be clearer about ser…
...if people are getting charged an “entrance fee” when they leave ... that sounds more like an exit fee. I could definitely see how that would catch people off guard. Usually in the US an entrance fee is genuinely that ... you pay to enter as you enter.
I understand that some foreigners have caused trouble in Japan, and that's regrettable, but the way all foreigner get stereotyped is even worse. I've been living in Japan a while now and it's rare that I encounter foreigners behaving badly. Now ask me how many times I've had to d…
He talks about people need to understand themselves, but in a situation u r not allowed to enter a place because u r foreigner, is not about understanding, it is about prejudice. And it is not like japanese dont get crazy when they drink!
I can understand the anxiety around foreigners, and I really like Ko's open-mindedness, v. encouraging, but I still think that xenophobia, especially towards people of colour, is a thing the Japanese government should really work on. Especially with their stance on covid - bit em…
I remember visiting one of these small gay bars in ni-chome with Japanese friends and the "mama-san" wanted to make sure I spoke good Japanese before he let me in. In the course of the evening, he went on to describe the year he spent in the US with great fondness. I'm pretty cer…
This bar owner keeps it real and tells it like it is. The fact he is open about escorting and just has the resourceful pizaz to run a bar equals Would live for a TV show or anime about him!
All I know is that if Bars here (Germany) would exclude all foreigners it would be global headlines calling those owners or even the whole country racist. It's a touchy subject after all these foreigners are still paying customers, if they don't know the rules print them out in E…
This reminds me of when I lived in Seoul. There are generally two areas where there are clusters of gay restaurants and bars. One area has a lot of gay clubs and bars that foreigners also go to while the other has restaurants and bars mostly locals go to. I am fluent in Korean bu…
I love his energy so much he is blunt with it I could listen to him talk for hours. He is very correct foreigners should have manners, no matter where they go especially Japanese a place where manner is key.
Hi Tokyo Tops! This video is about a "snack bar". For those who do not know, a snack bar is a small, intimate bar, commonly found in Japan that can seat around 10 people. These bars have what is called a "system", which is a set price that customers need to pay when coming to…
I totally agree that some foreigners who travel to Japan (or other countries) can be rude or insensitive towards locals however, I guess the one problem I have is the generalisation of all foreigners as being problematic. Definitely foreigners can be little shits (I recently felt…
I was refused service at a restaurant in Asakusa and given the excuse "Japanese only" which felt kind off bad, especially as I was sober and just wanted to eat. In Western Europe, at least, having a sign with no foreigners allowed might result in a bar closure by authorities for…
I guess the problem with the entrance fee is that sometimes there is nowhere mentioning it, and then suddenly it is in the bill. Then the customer might think they are being scammed. And I think it is rare to have entrance fees in bars, they are more common in nightclubs. Like yo…
Oh this bartender is spicy...she’s coming for rude tourists. Respect ✊🏻. Lol
I think he makes a great point about snack bars being a community and for deeper convos. So if we cannot engage in this culture because we cannot communicate in a basic manner then it’s kind of wasting our time/experience and also frustrating for the owner as they won’t be able t…
It would be nice to drop into a gay bar while visiting Japan for the first time, it would not be the #1 reason for the visit, however, the mere fact that such prejudice exists toward gay foreigners within the Japanese gay community, makes me question why I would bother to visit J…
Agree on that you should respect the tradition of the place you visit. It's really tiring if every foreigner think "in my country...." than forcing the local to change. Also agree on the entrance fee. If you think too expensive, just don't go inside.
I was so curious about the whole gay Japanese escorting business since I've seen ads for boys in 2-Chome and I'm glad he gave us some insight into it. Hope you guys will get a chance to interview more gay men in the sex industry (particularly gay porn and gay for pay actors) bec…
How much Japanese would be expected of foreigners to learn in these circumstances? Because to me it sounds a bit unrealistic to expect foreigners to learn a lot before going on vacation? Maybe a few super basic things like how to say thank you? But then again I live in Denmark wh…
He made a good point about SM. I always say I struggle to understand SM, yet my husband told me a while back he was shocked I did not understand, as I like to be told what to do when in bed. You see I thought SM was just about whips, embarrassment, and pain. (The parts I never un…
I'm as straight as a column but this was interesting to watch.
enjoyed how straight to the point this guy is.
Also "snack bars" in USA you usually pay the entrance fee before you get in. I think it is a lot about setting expectations that if people pay up front they understand but when they have to pay at the end they have to complain. I think if its charged up front its much easier :)
Japan is a mystery box. I love how your channel is deconstructing that classic image of Japan that doesn't talk about sex or has underground cultures.
Me, a thirsty gay: The bar owner is hot.
To summarize, tt clearly does not make me want to visit any of these gay bars in Japan. They seem pretty rude. Do those owners adapt as much to local traditions and manners when they visit Europe or North America? I have never heard a Japanese tourist speak Dutch in Antwerp or Ge…
I travel a lot, and I always learn simple local greeting phrases, like "Thank you", "Sorry", "Hello", but it would be so hard to learn how to have a conversation in each country I visit in local language. I just don't understand why some Japanese people find it offensive when not…
The bigotry you reveal in Japan is very disappointing. Feels like a country 20 years behind
Your guys' videos paint a picture of Japan that I was totally unaware of. It totally makes me want to visit. At the same time, it is a bit odd that they expect tourists to speak a language that only exists in that one country and would only be useful for their vacation. I've visi…
I found the service charge very strange when I visited Japan from the UK where you never pay to visit a bar . I am so used to popping into a bar for one drink . I realise Japanese bars are frequently very small and intimate and need to cover costs .
previously when i travelled to tokyo and wandered into nichome i also didnt feel welcomed to enter as a foreigner. not having any english menu/signboards is kinda intimidating to us to even enter.
Highlight of my week.
Is stereotyping and racism that prevalent in Japan?
How do they make $$$ if their service is so disrespectful?